Political and administrative structure
The Russian Federation is a federal state with a republican form of government.
The Constitution
The Constitution, originally adopted on 12 December 1993 is the supreme law of the Russian Federation. It has direct effect and applies throughout the entire territory of Russia.
General principles of international law and international treaties are part of the Russian legal system. If Russia is a signatory to an international treaty containing provisions contrary to the provisions of any domestic legislation, the provisions of the international treaty will prevail. The Constitution, however, takes precedence over any contradicting provision of an international treaty.
Regional and local political structure
The Russian Federation consists of 89 “constituent subjects”, i.e. regions within the federation. Regions are granted a certain degree of autonomy over their internal economic and political affairs. As cities of federal significance, Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sevastopol enjoy the status of region.
The head of the executive branch of each region is directly elected in regional elections or by the legislative body of the respective region (if such option is set out in the constitution or the law of such region).
The Constitution sets out a general list of powers that are within the exclusive federal jurisdiction. Some powers are jointly exercisable by the federal and regional authorities. The regional authorities are then allocated all residual powers. Regional powers include the authority to manage regional property, establish regional budgets, collect regional taxes and maintain regional law and order.
Separation of powers
The Constitution divides federal power among three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The organs of each branch act independently within their constitutional powers, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
Executive branch: the President and the Government
The President is the Head of State. The term of office of the President is six years. The President may only serve two terms in total.
The President appoints the Prime Minister whose candidacy must be approved by the lower chamber of the Russian parliament (the State Duma).
The President determines the main trends of Russia's domestic and foreign policy and represents the country in both domestic and foreign affairs. The President is Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces.
The President has broad authority to issue executive orders and directives that in practice have the force of law. Under certain circumstances, the President has the right to dissolve the State Duma.
The Government exercises executive power at the federal level, with the Prime Minister acting as its head. The Government is required to enact the decisions made by the President and the laws adopted by the federal legislature.
Legislative branch: the State Duma and the Federation Council
The Federal Assembly or the Parliament consists of two chambers: an upper chamber called the Federation Council and a lower chamber called the State Duma. The Parliament exercises legislative power in Russia at the federal level.
There are more than 208 seats in the upper chamber of Parliament. 178 seats are occupied by representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the Russian regions. The remainder are occupied by 30 members appointed by the President, including seven possible life-long members. After leaving office, the President may serve on the Federation Council for life.
The State Duma consists of 450 deputies who are elected by proportional representation. State Duma members are elected for five-year terms.
Federal bills are introduced in the State Duma. They may be submitted by the President, the federal Government, members of either chamber of Parliament, regional legislatures, the Constitutional Court or the Supreme Court on matters within their authority. Bills must pass three readings in the State Duma. After being adopted by a majority in the State Duma, bills are considered by the Federation Council. If a bill is rejected by the Federation Council, a Conciliatory Commission may be established. This consists of representatives of the State Duma and Federation Council who review and
The Russian Federation is a federal state with a republican form of government.
The Constitution
The Constitution, originally adopted on 12 December 1993 is the supreme law of the Russian Federation. It has direct effect and applies throughout the entire territory of Russia.
General principles of international law and international treaties are part of the Russian legal system. If Russia is a signatory to an international treaty containing provisions contrary to the provisions of any domestic legislation, the provisions of the international treaty will prevail. The Constitution, however, takes precedence over any contradicting provision of an international treaty.
Regional and local political structure
The Russian Federation consists of 89 “constituent subjects”, i.e. regions within the federation. Regions are granted a certain degree of autonomy over their internal economic and political affairs. As cities of federal significance, Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sevastopol enjoy the status of region.
The head of the executive branch of each region is directly elected in regional elections or by the legislative body of the respective region (if such option is set out in the constitution or the law of such region).
The Constitution sets out a general list of powers that are within the exclusive federal jurisdiction. Some powers are jointly exercisable by the federal and regional authorities. The regional authorities are then allocated all residual powers. Regional powers include the authority to manage regional property, establish regional budgets, collect regional taxes and maintain regional law and order.
Separation of powers
The Constitution divides federal power among three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The organs of each branch act independently within their constitutional powers, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
Executive branch: the President and the Government
The President is the Head of State. The term of office of the President is six years. The President may only serve two terms in total.
The President appoints the Prime Minister whose candidacy must be approved by the lower chamber of the Russian parliament (the State Duma).
The President determines the main trends of Russia's domestic and foreign policy and represents the country in both domestic and foreign affairs. The President is Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces.
The President has broad authority to issue executive orders and directives that in practice have the force of law. Under certain circumstances, the President has the right to dissolve the State Duma.
The Government exercises executive power at the federal level, with the Prime Minister acting as its head. The Government is required to enact the decisions made by the President and the laws adopted by the federal legislature.
Legislative branch: the State Duma and the Federation Council
The Federal Assembly or the Parliament consists of two chambers: an upper chamber called the Federation Council and a lower chamber called the State Duma. The Parliament exercises legislative power in Russia at the federal level.
There are more than 208 seats in the upper chamber of Parliament. 178 seats are occupied by representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the Russian regions. The remainder are occupied by 30 members appointed by the President, including seven possible life-long members. After leaving office, the President may serve on the Federation Council for life.
The State Duma consists of 450 deputies who are elected by proportional representation. State Duma members are elected for five-year terms.
Federal bills are introduced in the State Duma. They may be submitted by the President, the federal Government, members of either chamber of Parliament, regional legislatures, the Constitutional Court or the Supreme Court on matters within their authority. Bills must pass three readings in the State Duma. After being adopted by a majority in the State Duma, bills are considered by the Federation Council. If a bill is rejected by the Federation Council, a Conciliatory Commission may be established. This consists of representatives of the State Duma and Federation Council who review and
- Introduction
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist, and futurist best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.